A historic textile-mill city on the Taunton River near the Rhode Island line, Fall River is famous for its granite mills, the battleship USS Massachusetts, and the Lizzie Borden story. It is covered by the 508 code and its overlay. This guide breaks down Fall River’s 508 and 774 codes, the required 10-digit dialing, major ZIP codes, and local scam warnings.
Fall River Area Codes at a Glance
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Primary Area Code(s) | 508 |
| Overlay Area Code(s) | 774 |
| Time Zone | Eastern Time (ET) – EST / EDT |
| Major County | Bristol County |
| Region | South Coast (Southeastern Mass) |
| Dialing Format | 10-digit dialing required |
Area Code Breakdown & Regional Mapping
508 – Central & Southeastern Mass Code
Area code 508 was created in 1988 when it split from 617, serving central and southeastern Massachusetts including Fall River, New Bedford, Worcester, and Cape Cod. It is Fall River’s primary code and anchors the western edge of Bristol County.
774 – Central & Southeastern Mass Overlay
Area code 774 is the 2001 overlay for the 508 region, sharing the same southeastern-Massachusetts geography. Many newer Fall River lines carry a 774 prefix, fully local to existing 508 numbers.
Neighborhoods & Local Coverage
Fall River’s 508/774 codes cover a city built on granite and textiles, where rows of 19th-century mills climb the hillside above the waterfront. Downtown centers on South Main Street and the Government Center, while Battleship Cove — home to the USS Massachusetts — anchors the riverfront tourism district.
Beyond downtown, the same codes reach the dense residential neighborhoods of the Flint and the Highlands, the North End and South End, and out toward the Rhode Island border. Fall River’s large Portuguese community gives the city a distinct character, all connected under the 508/774 codes shared across the South Coast.
Local Dialing Rules & International Format
Fall River and all of Massachusetts have required 10-digit dialing for years — always dial the area code plus the 7-digit number. Southeastern Massachusetts uses 508, overlaid by 774. Just across the state line, Rhode Island uses area code 401.
To call Fall River from outside the United States, dial your country’s exit code, then the U.S. country code +1, followed by the 10-digit number (for example, +1 508 XXX-XXXX). From inside the U.S. and Canada, simply dial 1 before the 10-digit number for long-distance calls.
Major ZIP Codes Covered
The 508 service area spans many of Fall River’s core ZIP codes, including 02720, 02721, 02723, and 02724.
Spam & Scam Call Warnings in Fall River
Fall River residents report neighbor-spoofing robocalls faking a local 508 prefix, plus fake utility-shutoff threats and delivery scams. Bilingual Portuguese-language robocalls also target the city’s large Portuguese community.
| Scam Type | What to Watch For |
|---|---|
| Neighbor Spoofing | Calls that mimic a local 508 prefix to look familiar. |
| Utility / Toll Scams | Threats to shut off power or demand toll payment via gift cards. |
| IRS / Government | Robocalls claiming legal action — agencies never call to demand instant payment. |
Red flag: Any caller who pressures you to pay immediately with gift cards, wire transfers, or cryptocurrency is almost certainly running a scam. Hang up and verify through an official number.
↑ See the complete list of All US Area Codes by State for every code across the country.
Nearby & Related Massachusetts Cities
Frequently Asked Questions
What area code is Fall River, MA?
Fall River uses area code 508 and its overlay 774, shared across southeastern Massachusetts.
Does Fall River have the same area code as New Bedford?
Yes. Fall River and New Bedford, the two South Coast cities, both use 508/774.
Do I need to dial 10 digits in Fall River?
Yes. With the 774 overlay active, all local calls in the 508 region require 10-digit dialing.
Is 774 a real Massachusetts area code?
Yes. 774 is the FCC-approved overlay for the 508 region, added in 2001 to expand number capacity across central and southeastern Massachusetts.
What time zone is Fall River in?
Fall River observes Eastern Time (EST/EDT), like all of Massachusetts.
Stay Safe & Explore More
- Verify an unknown caller in our Scam Alerts directory.
- Comparing nationwide numbers? See our Toll-Free Numbers guides.